Still Running and Crossfitting

The crazy race schedule is going great! The Franklin Classic 10K was a very interesting race for me---after a 9:38 first mile, my Garmin died and I had to run blind for the first time in years. I had been all over the place pace-wise in the first mile, so I wasn't sure if I was going too fast or too slow at any given moment. I just tried to judge it by discomfort---moderately uncomfortable is where you want to be at any given moment in a 10K. I finished just 20 seconds off from my PR. My time was around a 9:34 mile average. I think my time was 58:42 or so. It poured rain during most of the race, too, adding to the memorableness (is that even a word?? memorability??) of the race. The best part was my bestie from high school had hosted me and the kids the night before at her house and even got up at 5:00 a.m. to drive me to the race! She was there to see me finish and everything. Her hubby stayed home with my kids and hers and cooked us all a delicious breakfast.

Then about 3 weeks later, I had my big GOAL RACE-- the Music City Half Marathon. I'd PR'd in that race 2 years ago with a 2:09:42 official time, but the course was 13.22. This time, I PR'd again by over 2 minutes with a 2:07:09! I stopped my watch at 13.1 though and I was at 2:05:52! Either way, it was a big PR! A 2:05 averaged to a 9:36 pace and a 2:07 averaged to a 9:45. I had planned to start out with 9:45 to 10 minute miles, but 9:30 just felt so darn comfortable, I wound up staying there--- most miles between 9:30 and 9:40. I did have a 9:26 and two 9:50's when I was hurting. Apparently, I was trained up for a strong 10-miler. After mile 10, I started hurting quite a bit. My lower body hurt badly in miles 11 and 12---the 9:50 miles. In mile 13, I just gritted my teeth and ran through the pain---back down to a 9:41 pace.

But you know what, a RACE is SUPPOSED to hurt. It's supposed to be uncomfortable. You are supposed to push hard and hang on when the going gets tough. This may be the first time I actually RACED a half marathon. And for the first time in 11 half marathons, I ran every single step. Didn't walk through water stops, didn't stop at the port o john. That was another PR--the furthest uninterrupted stretch I'd run before was 8 or 9 miles. It was a really good day.

Two days after the race, I started at a new Crossfit gym in town. That was a mistake. My muscles were still raw from the race and the first day's workout was a killer. I was in pain for the rest of the week and did very little running and no Crossfit. (www.crossfitsolafide.com) But I went back to Crossfit yesterday and today, and officially joined. I decided to go only two days per week to supplement my running.

Next up: The Go Commando Half Marathon with my husband on Saturday. I hope he has a better experience than last time. He has no nagging injuries, but his training has fallen off a lot the last 3 weeks. Can a guy who runs 1-2 times per week most weeks and sometimes none at all for a full week run a strong race? Guess we'll see. I'm going to stay with him throughout. I think we'll come in under 2:30. I hope we'll stay between 10:30 and 11 minute miles.

Where To From Here?

After my August epiphany "Do what you enjoy," I've been doing just that.

I've been training mostly slow and easy with the Maffetone Method. My max aerobic heartrate is steadily improving. I can run at about a 10:45 pace without leaving the 145 and below aerobic zone. Supposedly this will help my body to burn body fat for fuel more efficiently and translate to faster times. We'll see..... more about that later.

I have done 2 trail runs, which I really enjoyed. Trail running is about two things: 1) Don't fall down and 2) Don't sprain anything. I love the no-pressure-to-run-fast aspect of it, I love the ever changing terrain ("I am going up hill, I am going down hill, I am dodging a tree branch, I am dodging a snake, I am going over a bridge, I am stumbling over a big rock"---keeps it interesting, to say the least!)

I have done several short runs, just a little bit of speed work once a week, and my weekly long run with the group I'm training for an upcoming half marathon. Honestly, the long runs really do feel like work (I mean besides the fact that I clock in and out for them). I think I have fallen out of love (hopefully temporarily) with running long.

Maybe it's because I find myself in a group of people but still mostly running alone.
Maybe it's because it's been just ridiculously hot.
Maybe I needed more recovery time after the June marathon before going long again.

Whatever the case, after all this training is over, I'm thinking that about 8 miles is the maximum training distance I want to do regularly---maybe once or twice per month. Beyond that is beyond fun. That way, I figure I'm always 5 weeks to half marathon ready. I could have my base of 8, then do a couple of 10-milers, a 12, a tapered 8-9, and then BAM--race. My running club president is a big believer in over-distance training. He's planning to run 14, 16, and even 18 before his upcoming half-marathon. Me? I figure if I get in some good quality short and mid-distance runs, 12 miles is plenty of distance before a half. I once had a decent half marathon on just a 9-mile longest run coming off an injury.

To try to put some of the FUN and EXCITEMENT back into running, I think I'm going to do a bunch of races in the coming months. Here's what's on my plate:

1. Sept. 5: Labor Day 10K-- Yikes! That's day after tomorrow! I'm not sure if I can run my usual 10K pace after what seems like months of slow running. Plus, the weather is supposed to be heavy rain and 18 mph winds. I'm running 6 miles in a monsoon, apparently!
2. Oct. 2: Music City Half Marathon. Tom King Course, I'm coming for you! I was prepped for a GREAT Tom King race and a half marathon PR in March, then I got sick the night before the race and during the race had stomach issues. This race is on the very same course..... REDEMPTION! It will by my 11th half marathon.
3. Oct. 15 Go Commando Half Marathon (I'm planning on wearing undies though.) My dear husband is training for his 2nd half marathon and I think I'm going to just run with and support him during this race. It will be neat to run 13.1 together. The most we've done together is 6. (We'd love to run more together. That time, we got a sitter. After all, SOMEONE has to be home watching the kids!)
4. October 22: Wild Thang 9-Mile Trail Race I'm very excited to do my 2nd trail race!! 9 miles should be a bit more doable than that tough 13.1 in May (which I hope to do again!).
5. October 29: Possibly the APSU Homecoming 5K or the Zombie Run 5K. Run at my alma mater supporting their scholarship program or be chased by zombies. Tough call.
6. November 5: Sango Scamper 10K and 5K For only $5 extra you can do both. I did both last year. It felt kinda hard core. Raced the 10K and just did the 5K for funsies.
7. November 19: Turkey Trot 5 or 10 Miler If I'm not COMPLETELY SICK of races by then...
8. December 3: Deer Trail 6 Miler I will run this with my husband. It's about 30 minute away from his parents (aka free childcare!) Hubby's first trail race.

Do What You Enjoy

These words came to me on my 10-mile run yesterday. I had been struggling with what to do running-wise lately. Over the past month or so, I had decided to just use Crossfit Endurance workouts for running and Crossfit for strength training. Then I discovered after just a couple of weeks that CFE workouts are all hard, all-out suckfests. Yes, they were quick and dirty, but it took away the part of running I enjoy---just getting out there and running for an hour or even two---relaxing and letting my stress slip away, enjoying good music and the conversation of a friend. Don't get me wrong---I want to be the best runner I can be. I want to see improvements. I don't mind hard work. But when every run is tied to pace and splits, running starts to feel like a job and not a stress reliever. If I were totally crunched for time, CFE would be a great way to go. But, heck, I only work part-time and I will have all 3 kiddos in school this year after August 23. I have time! (Can't spend all that time cleaning!)

So, then I started reading The Big Book of Endurance Training by Dr. Phillip Maffetone. Within a chapter or two, I decided to adopt his method of training, which he calles the Maffetone Method. This method is advised for anyone who has really plateaued in their running. I had been seeing some improvements in short distances, but not in long distances lately. It involves building an endurance base at your maximum aerobic heartrate---ALL running during a period of time is at that heart rate. A quick click on Amazon and I had a heartrate monitor. I took the MAF (max aerobic function) test and was shocked to find out that after all that anaerobic training, I could only run at an 11:20 pace and keep my heartrate under 145. I can run a mile much faster than that, but my heart rate very easily gets up to 90-95% of my max heart rate. That shows a lack of overall aerobic fitness. He doesn't recommend any strength training (it is all anaerobic) during the base building period and no speedwork. I figured I'd better lay off the Crossfit and just focus on the running. If I had to choose between running and Crossfit, I'd choose running.

So, for two weeks, I did no CF and just ran a lot of slow, easy miles. And then I realized I missed Crossfit!

So here I am now, just trying to figure out how to keep strength training through Crossfit, which I really do enjoy, one or two times a week plus building my aerobic base with easy running. I can already see some improvement--yesterday, I was able to run a mile or two of my ten-miler at 10:50-11:10 and keep my heartrate where it needed to be.

I thought about a late fall/early winter marathon, but the only one within driving distance that fits our schedule is the Rocket City and they have a strict no-music policy. Music is one of my favorite parts of running--I love saving it until the later miles where it inspires and re-energizes me. After a lot of debate about whether to register (it usually sells out right about now) or not, those words came to me---DO WHAT YOU ENJOY. That settled it.

This whole running and exercise thing SHOULD be about doing what I enjoy. What do I enjoy?

1. Doing small, local races. (Especially if I place, which is rare, but still happens.) I'm excited about this year's state park series and hope to do a few.
2. Running at a relaxed, conversational pace. Sometimes alone, sometimes with a friend, sometimes with music.
3. Running short tempo runs and intervals, too, just not every time I run.
4. 10K's and Half marathons. The world doesn't revolve around the marathon. And as a masters runner, I'm thinking that about 1 per year is enough. 2011 is done!
5. Trail running! I just love the trails and FINALLY found a pair of trail shoes that work for me. Now I'm working on finding trail running buddies.
6. Having a running schedule, but not being married to one. KWIM?
7. Push ups, pull ups, burpees, kettlebell swings. I enjoy many aspects Crossfit. Just not killing myself with it. I don't care much for heavy lifting, but the bodyweight exercises and plyometrics are fun.
8. Treating my body like a temple. Putting good foods into it. Right now I feel lousy because of two days of bad food choices. I feel happier and healthier when I eat right.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY?

Here is a song that really inspires me on a run. I really like the line at 1:47.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifC88SSQvBU

Marathon #3: Hatfield-McCoy Race Report

This is a play-by-play of how I remember the Hatfield McCoy Marathon.

4:32 a.m. I wake up after about 20 minutes of sleep. I went to bed at 10, but could not sleep. First, we had cannon fire from the re-enactors camping across the street, and then 8 trains shook the walls of the Inn right on the train tracks. All of them seemed to have their brakes on and each train was one long screech.

6:30 a.m. The four of us arrive at race: Donna England, Kathy Grayson, Christie Kettle, and me. Get in port o potty line. Then turn around and get into it again. Take pictures with the Hatfield and McCoy actors in their period costume. I’m a Hatfield today!

6:50 a.m. Pre-race prayer by race director. Very nice.

7:00 a.m. We all make our way to the start. With no warning or “on your mark,…” we start. Then the re-enactor fires his musket a few seconds after the fact.

7:01 a.m. Our group of four has already separated! Donna and I are a little ahead of them. We are never together again on the course. Donna and I stay together. She is a fellow RRCA running coach and my personal marathon running coach today! We’ve both done 2 marathons prior.

Mile 5- A gentle incline starts. Donna and I are doing a 6:1 run/walk ratio, talking and looking at the creek beside the river. We are running around a 9:48 to 10:40 pace and walking at a brisk 13:30 to 14:00 minute pace (aka a hauling butt walking pace!)

Mile 6- Since our hotel is on this road, we know what is coming--- Blackberry Mountain!

Mile 7 to 8- So steep. We drop to a 4:1 run/ walk. We make it up the mountain in good shape! As we arrive at the top, this huge wind comes through. Cups from the water stop are flying, trees are bending, it was surreal. I decide it is God saying hello and congratulating us for making it up the mountain. As suddenly as the wind comes, it abruptly stops.

Mile 8-9- A long one-mile downhill. My quads remember this quite well. It is too steep to enjoy any speed. I don’t want to walk any on the downhill, but Donna makes me follow the 4:1. She knows my knees will thank me later. I jog during the walking portions when she isn’t looking. (he he) I just hate to walk on a down hill!

Mile 11-12- It is RAINING and it is WONDERFUL. I am soaked from head to toe, but I am not hot! Donna and I make a friend, Doug, and he’s married to a Donna. Weird coincidence!

Mile 13- Half-way point. Feeling good. It is not raining, and is getting hot and humid. Have to literally run past my hotel room. I thought it would be hard, but it is not. I’m not ready to stop and excited to see what lies ahead. Kind of hungry….

Miles 14-17- We are on a very remote, narrow paved path (road?) through the woods. Beautiful views of the mountains. I take several pictures during my walk breaks. Donna and I are together a lot. I turned on my music (one ear bud only) finally. Fatigue is creeping in but my music keeps me going. My right ankle has started hurting a little.

Miles 18-20- We had a little detour onto a gravel road which became a dirt road then pretty much a trail. It was a nice change of pace. I ran mostly alone through here. It was really peaceful. It reminded me a little of the trail in Ashland City, but rougher with bigger rocks.

Mile 20 or 21- I catch back up with Donna at the golf course. We cross the SWINGING WOODEN BRIDGE together. I get the impression she doesn’t like heights when she grabs onto my arm. She doesn’t want me to run across it since it would make the bridge shake and sway. It is very high in the air and kind of rickety. We speed walk it.

Mile 21.5- Ankle is really hurting after that trail section and the bridge area. I remember I packed two extra-strength Tylenol in my bag for emergencies. Yay! This qualifies as an emergency. Donna and I part ways at a self-serve water stop. I tell her to go on ahead because I’m hurting and really slowing down, but my spirits are good. I remember that marathons are HARD.

Mile 22- I can no longer run. Right ankle is at about an 8 on the pain scale. I’m convinced I have a stress fracture or sprain. (I was leaning more toward stress fracture.) I walk a few minutes and try to run. I only make it 10 steps. Now I’m limping. This is not good. I still have 4.2 miles to go. That is a long way to limp. I call my husband to tell him what’s going on since I finally have one bar of cell service. Talking to him makes me feel better. This is the point where I say, “Never again.”

Mile 22.5-24- Now, walking hurts only slightly, so I can stop limping. I pick up the pace to about a 13:45 minute/mile power walk. Every now and then, I try to limp-run a little, but it hurts too much. I am mostly alone, but I passed a couple of guys walking slowly and two women passed me. We all chat briefly. These are the nicest people! I’m feeling pretty discouraged, but determined not to quit, even if I have to limp or crawl. I find myself talking to myself….. out loud. I try singing out loud with my music. I try to notice the beauty of the trees, mountains, and river.

Mile 25-26.2- Thank you, Tylenol! I can now jog with pain that is bearable. I try to keep my stride short and light with a quick foot turnover. I’m not thinking about anything but getting to that finish line. Around 26, it hurts again, but the finish line is in sight, so I run through the pain. It will be interesting to see the grimace on my face in the finish line pictures since I was running through the pain. I high-fived the two Hatfield-McCoy actors as I crossed.

26.2: I cross the finish line in 5 hours, 9 minutes, and 4 seconds. I have two slices of cold watermelon and make my way to the first aid tent. A sweet volunteer helps me take off my shoe and sock and puts an ice pack on the ankle. She wraps gauze around it to hold it in place. I limp around holding my shoe until I find my friends.

Later, I get my Mason jar with my plaque—123 rd finisher out of over 300. 6th out of 16 in my age group. I’m proud of that! It was faster than my Country Music, but slower than Birmingham. But it was harder than both!

Despite the pain, it was a GREAT DAY and a GOOD RACE. I experienced suffering in this race, but when you sign up for a marathon, that’s just part of it. It’s so funny how you go through highs and lows in a long race. The only low I went through was those couple of miles. I’ll take it! By the end, I’d gone from “Never again” to “maybe another one some time.”

A Minimalist (or Lazy) Approach to Marathoning

This weekend I will find out if my minimalist approach to marathon training worked .... or not. I'm heading to the Hatfield-Mccoy Marathon in West Virginia. I think I maxed out at about 31 or 32 miles per week and my longest run was 17.5 instead of the traditional 20. I did two 16 milers, a few 14 and 15's, and that crazy trail half marathon. I did strength training via Crossfit once or twice a week until these last couple of weeks when I backed off. In theory, that strength training should make up for some of the lack of miles. We shall see.

It's going to be a hot one. Starting temp will be about 68 and 90% humidity according weather.com. It starts at 7:00 a.m. The high that day is supposed to be between 88 and 91 with a "real feel" of 102. I'm hoping to finish by noonish or 12:30, so maybe I'll be done before it feels like 102!

This is a hilly course, but much of it is shaded. There is a mountain at mile 7. Literally. It is called Blackberry Mountain. We run up it for a mile. The downhill is really, really steep. I talked to a runner who broke his foot on the downhill last year. He was running the trail half and we were talking in the port-o-potty line. He said the Hatfield Mccoy isn't that bad compared to trail races. That was before I'd seen the conditions of the trail half!

I'm missing Crossfit this week and last to allow some good recovery time. I've been very careful to avoid anything that might cause injury.

I am excited about the possibility of a few trail races in the fall. I'm still searching for just the right trail shoes.

Well, that is all. I'll let you know how it goes. My first marathon was 5:17 and my second was 4:45. It'll be interesting to see where this one falls. It might be 6 hours!

So Unbelievably Hard! Scenic City Trail Half Marathon Race Report

Trail runners are clearly a special group of folks. The Scenic City Trail Half Marathon I ran today was by far the toughest running event in which I've participated. And that includes 26.2 on the hilly Country Music Marathon course in 80degree temps. I am PROUD of my 2:27:58 finish. I worked SO hard for it.

To say I was UNPREPARED is an understatement. My trail shoes didn't work out, so I had to run in my regular road shoes. I had run several six-milers on a very flat, mostly gravel trail. It has no tree roots, no boulders, no large, sharp rocks. And I thought that made me ready to take on 13.1 on a real trail? Apparently I'm very naive. Or just stupid.

This race was so TOUGH. I ran more hills in this race than I've run this month! (Or last month.) I told my husband the race felt like 75% was uphill, 20% was steep downhill, and maybe 5% was flat. Or 0%. (Update: I wrote this prior to posting the elevation picture.) It was so technical---I ran over roots, rocks, across boulders, in sand, over a fallen tree, through 2 streams. I tripped at least 5 times, rolled each ankle 2-3 times, and left the course bleeding from my right shoulder from a fall against a tree.

Trail running is SERIOUS business. I was completely unprepared in my road shoes. The steep downhills were so scary with no traction. There was loose dirt and leaves and rock everywhere. Traction would have been a good thing.

I was happy endurance-wise. I powered up a lot of hills when others were walking. I mean A LOT of hills. But I just didn't have the technical knowledge to know how to safely run the downhills or the experience on this type of mixed terrain. It took a laser-like focus on the ground about 2 feet in front of me. I couldn't look up, to the side or anywhere except where my foot was going to fall next.

It was all single-file, so I got used to having conversations with unknown folks behind me whom I could not see.

Breathing was tough--could be the elevation or all those darn hills. Some were so steep that everyone dropped down to a walk. Since we were single file, I had no choice at times. Other times, I'd just say, "On your left" and try to pass them without hurting myself.

I will say that I spent 90% of the race in FEAR that I was going to seriously injure myself. I am running a full marathon in 3 weeks and the whole race I was thinking that this was a really risky move. (The folks who wrote the race website downplayed the technicalness of the course in a major way. It was NOTHING like I expected.) I think with the right shoes and training I might have had fun and embraced this trail run.

It was a crazy, challenging, but strangely fullfulling day. Fun? I can't say I was smiling and having a blast, but I did talk to some really nice people along the way. Trail folks just seemed friendlier than road race folks. Almost no one had music.

At the end, the last .25 was back on pavement. Pavement never felt so good!!!

I pushed myself in the last 3 miles because I so wanted to be finished! My right ankle especially was hurting more from the downhills than the up. The first 8 miles seemed mostly uphill, but miles 9 and 10 were primarily downhill. Those two miles were brutal. Our GPS watches weren't working, so we were all kind of running blindly. I was SURPRISED and happy to see under 2:30 on the finish line clock.

Now my husband wants us to do it together next year. Hmmmm..... I think I will be up for the challenge. It is GOOD to get out of your comfort zone every once in a while.

Road-Trippin'

Tomorrow, my family and I leave for Chattanooga, TN! Well, technically the kids are staying with their grandparents about an hour outside of Chattanooga. I'm excited to have a quick little getaway with my husband! The scary part is the 13.1 miles through the woods on Saturday!

I had a trail running set back this week. My trail shoes DO. NOT. WORK. This is my 2nd pair. The first, Brooks Adrenaline ASR, hurt my Achilles tendon for some odd reason. My regular Brooks Adrenalines feel great and are my marathon shoe of choice. But the trail version is cut differently. So I returned those and ordered an Asics pair of trail shoes that got great reviews on Road Runner Sports. These felt ok (looked hideous though!) at first, but on a 6-mile trail run the other day, they just felt off--heavy and my legs were achy. Then on a 5-miler this week, I noticed both knees hurting and my right foot cramped up. It seemed to be the shoes.

It looks like I'll be running the trail half marathon in road shoes. I might as well paint the word "Newbie" on my forehead! My other option is to buy a pair at the "expo" (really just packet pickup at an outdoor store), but the idea of running 15 miles (I plan to do one extra before and one after since I have a marathon in 3 weeks) in unknown territory in unknown shoes is a bit scary!

My goal is to just finish relatively unscathed--no broken bones, sprains, bear attacks, etc. I will take it slow and be careful!

I'm going into this race with 9 toenails. Wonder how many I'll come out with???

Taking One for the Team!

My son (age 10) and I went to my hometown Adairville, KY, to do the tiniest 5K today--only 30 runners this year. We agreed to run separately since he hadn't trained for it at all. (He has done at least 2 other 5K's on little to no training as well.) He wanted to run/walk and I wanted to, well, RUN. I thought maybe I could beat my time on the course last year.

I warmed up and ran alone until 2.5 miles in, then something told me to stop racing and turn around and go find my son. I just had an uneasy feeling I couldn't shake. (Mommy radar or guilt for leaving him behind?) I started worrying, "What if he's feeling sick?" "What if he's too hot?" "What if he gets lost on the course?" "What if he falls down?"

I found him about a quarter-mile behind me.... in last place. He was a little upset. I ran/walked with him to the finish. In the last stretch he asked me if I'd let him go ahead so HE wouldn't be last. So, I did. Yep, I was #30 out of 30 racers. I took one for the team! On my Garmin, I was at 27:56 at the 3 mile point, so I wouldn't have PR'd anyway, but I'd have had a pretty good time for me. But I'm absolutely glad I went back. I can handle being last (it has actually happened before), but it might have made him not want to run anymore. It IS kind of traumatic! I'm just so happy he has embraced the sport I love!

He was proud he wound up with 3rd in his age group (I didn't point out this was out of 3) and got a medal. I actually got 1st in my age group by default as the only 40-44 year old female in the race. This is the 2nd time I've come in LAST in a race, but still won my age group. (Look in the archives to February of 2008 for the time that happened in my first 10K!) Funny how that keeps happening.... Does this happen to anyone else, or is it just me??

So, my 5K was not what I had planned for including the extra 1/2 mile in there-- 3.61 miles. The medal is kind of cool. I felt silly taking it though. 1st place out of....... one!

Then I ran the 1-mile fun run with my 4-year-old Julia. She had trained for this for a couple of months with a once-a week 1/2 mile training run. She even missed her last soccer game to run the race! She was so excited to finally do a race. She was a trooper. She ran HARD and never once complained. She got 3rd out of 5 runners in her 4-6 age group and she was the youngest! Those little feet were flying! She ran the first quarter-mile at an 8:45 pace until I MADE her slow down. She walked only 3 or 4 times for about 30 seconds and finished in 11:24. I was very proud of her.

Next weekend is the Scenic City Trail Half Marathon! I finally registered and got some trail shoes just last week! If I can run it slow and easy and not break my neck, I'll be happy.

A Runner Without a Race

The top reason I WON'T be having a great Iron Mom Half Marathon and getting that totally cute shirt I posted a few posts back is that it is ..... CANCELLED. Just like my city, Paducah, KY, has gotten a ridiculous amount of rain in the last week. They had to cancel this weekend's race for the safety of the runners and the volunteers and frankly, they have bigger things to worry about. Well, I should say "postponed" because they rescheduled it on June 18. That would be exactly one week after my full marathon on June 11. I'm thinking that might not be the best time to attempt to race a half marathon!

So, for me, it is essentially cancelled. They are actually offering a refund if the new date doesn't work for you--highly unusual in the race world and very considerate. And I REALLY wanted that shirt. And a good half marathon "redemption" experience almost as much

I have yet to register for the Scenic City Trail Half Marathon on May 21. I'm just not sure I'm prepared for 13 miles o' trail running. And right now, our trails are all a big mud pit, so I can't even try it out. It's been a few weeks since I did a couple of 6-milers on a trail. I was leaning toward not doing it, but with this one getting cancelled, I'm swinging in the other direction. They have only 50 spots left, so I'd better decide quickly. I'm also waiting on my trail shoes that I ordered from Road Runner Sports. Got to get them broken in, too!

And THANK YOU to all the people who offered support after a hurtful comment was left on this blog. I really appreciate you!

Well, I'm off to make burgers with my entirely over-priced grass-fed ground beef from Whole Foods. It's a treat that happens rarely, but they taste so good. Mine will be bunless with green peppers and onions sauteed in coconut oil. I also plan to cut up a summer squash and saute it in coconut oil and make steamed broccoli. After all the chips and salsa I ate over the weekend, I have to eat clean this week!

The Downside to Blogging

Anonymous Commentator:

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. I am no exception. Neither are you. That's why what Jesus did for us is so critical. I hope you know and understand that Jesus died for your sins and mine.

In the last year, for the first time in my life, I am treating my body like a temple as commanded in scripture. I am careful what I put into it--mostly natural, whole foods as close to God created them as I can find. I have worked to make it strong. God didn't intend us to sit on the couch and eat Cheetos and Hostess cakes. We are meant to lift heavy things, to get from place to place on foot, to squat, to jump. I LOVE using my body in this way. I try to encourage others through this forum and one way to do that is to show my results from eating and exercising and truly treating my body like a temple.

It took a lot of courage for me to even post them (me, a 40-year old mother of three), and now you have shamed me into taking them down. I wasn't posting them to say, "Hey, I'm a hot momma. Look how pretty I am!". I was just trying to show how running, strength training, and eating (mostly) right can help you drop fat and build muscle.